‘I know he doesn’t collect awards. But he has made an exception for us. Aamir Khan is indeed one of my favourite actors’ — LATA MANGESHKAR

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, better known as Mr Perfectionist, is famous for not accepting awards. He is not even seen at award ceremonies. However, he broke this long-lasted rule for none other than the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar. At the prestigious Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards, constituted by Lataji in honour of her father, the singer got eminent personalities felicitated at the hands of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. It was rather interesting to watch Aamir Khan receiving the award by the RSS Boss as the actor had drawn flak from self-proclaimed nationalists over the intolerance debate a year ago.

Lata Mangeshkar, who also made her public appearance after a long time, reverred Aamir Khan for accepting the award. In an interview published on BollywoodHungama, she was quoted as saying, “I know he doesn’t collect awards. But he has made an exception for us. Aamir is indeed one of my favourite actors. Though we don’t meet any more I know there is enormous mutual respect between us. I’ve known him from the time he was a child. I’ve seen him at his home playing and jumping around at his home when I visited his father (filmmaker Tahir Husain). He has always showered immense affection on me. I remember when he made Lagaan he insisted I sing the bhajan O Paalan Hare. I love his focus and dedication to his work and most of all, I love his films. Taare Zameen Par is one of my favourite films featuring a contemporary actor. It is rare to come across an artiste with such a conscientious body of work. I remember once he told me that he would take a whole year off from acting to produce films and I had objected. We love seeing Aamir on screen. My siblings Meena, Asha, Usha and Hridaynath, and I are honoured to give the award named after my father to Aamir.”